Headed by ex-vice chancellor of BUET Prof Abdul Matin Patwari, the eight member committee will also visit the Phulbari and Barapukuria coal mine areas to take public opinions on the mines.

The committee will also hear the persons opposing the coal mining, especially the Phulbari coal project, sources said.

Two experts-- Prof Nurul Islam and M Zamanwill also be invited to help the committee scrutinise the sixth draft policy that has recently been finalised.

The meeting was additionally participated by the energy secretary Nasir Uddin and energy taskforce leader Major General Wadud. The next meeting will take place in Petrobangla Saturday.

This committee was formed as the sixth draft version of a national coal policy drew a lot of criticism for being anti-investment and self-contradictory. This new committee was announced on June 21 through a circular with a one-month deadline to complete its task, the first meeting was held more than a month later because Patwari was on a tour abroad.

Other members of this committee includes: Chairman of University Grants Commission Prof. Nazrul Islam, defence representative Maj Gen Ismail Faruk Chowdhury, journalist Ataus Samad, geologist Prof. Badrul Imam, research director of Centre for Policy Dialogue Prof. Mustafizur Rahman, Petrobangla director Moqbul-e-Elahi and Chief Executive Officer of Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Center (IIFC) Nazrul Islam.

The finalisation of the coal policy is being viewed as a very important document that will decide the future of the existing deals with Asia Energy or the Hosaf and also the other offers that is awaiting the government approval.